Smallpox Causes

Variola (the virus that causes smallpox) is a member of the orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes viruses such as cowpox, monkeypox, orf, and molluscum contagiosum. Poxviruses are the largest animal viruses, visible with a light microscope. They are larger than some bacteria.

Poxviruses are the only viruses that do not need a cell's nucleus to replicate inside the cell. The variola virus is the only known cause of smallpox. The disease affects only humans. No animal reservoirs or insect vectors (insects that spread a disease) exist, and no carrier state (period when the virus is in the body, but the person is not actively sick) occurs. Before smallpox was wiped out, the disease survived through continual person-to-person transmission. Pregnant women and children had a heightened risk for the illness. Smallpox also affected them more severely than normal.

The virus is acquired from inhalation (breathing into the lungs). Virus particles can remain on such items as clothing, bedding, and surfaces for up to 1 week.

The virus starts in the lungs. From there, the virus invades the bloodstream and spreads to the skin, intestines, lungs, kidneys, and brain. The virus activity in the skin cells creates a rash that starts as macules (flat, red lesions). After this, vesicles (raised blisters) form. Then, pustules (pus-filled pimples) appear about 12-17 days after a person becomes infected. Survivors of smallpox often have severely deformed skin from the pustules.

• Types: Variola major, or smallpox, has a death rate of 30%. Variola minor, or alastrim, is a milder form of the virus with a death rate of 1%. Four types of variola exist: classic, hemorrhagic, malignant, and modified.
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  • Classic smallpox is believed to be the most communicable disease-about 30% of unvaccinated people who come in contact with it become infected.
    
    
  • The hemorrhagic variety of variola has a much higher death rate (95%) than classic smallpox and leads to death more quickly. Infected people often die before the pustules form. This variety is recognizable by certain types of bleeding sores in mucous tissues. Comprehensive studies documenting almost 7,000 cases of variola found 200 people had this form of the disease (192 died). Pregnant women are more likely to contract this version.
    
    
  • Prior to eradication, the malignant or flat form of smallpox affected 6% of the population and evolved more slowly than the classic type. Lesions were flat, often described as feeling velvety. The death rate for this form approaches 100%.
    
    
  • The modified variety of smallpox essentially affects people who have been vaccinated and still have some immune response to the vaccine. In a vaccinated population, this version could affect about 15%.